REVIEW: “Bright Colors and Bold Patterns” is Uproariously Funny!

Now in the third extension of its encore run Off-Broadway, Drew Droege’s “Bright Colors and Bold Patterns” is an uproariously funny one-man show that offers a disarmingly poignant take on gay identity post-marriage equality. 

Gerry has come to Palm Springs for the wedding of his friend (and former lover) Josh to the younger Brennan (with whom Gerry’s not impressed).  Despite the setting, it’s a staidly beige affair, as the invitation states: “please refrain from wearing bright colors or bold patterns”.  Over the course of 80 fast-flying minutes, in conversation with unseen friends and guests, Gerry, the living embodiment of bright colors and bold patterns, takes umbrage to this sartorial policing, holed up at the hotel’s poolside tiki bar from sunset to dawn as he delivers a mostly-monologue, increasingly drunken and drugged rage-fest that—between zingers—reveals his loneliness and insecurities while offering some keen commentary on what it means to be gay in 2018.  

Directed by actor Michael Urie (“Torch Song”), and originally performed by the playwright himself, hilarious comedian and character actor Jeff Hiller now stars as Gerry, giving an energetic, madcap, and touching tour-de-force performance that leaves the audience wailing with laughter but also pondering what it means when “fitting in” and being “normal” become goals for gay men. 

Mr. Droege’s smart and funny script ably steers clear of the pitfalls of the one-sided conversation in which an actor just repeats what his invisible counterpart has said, instead spinning one-sided dialogue that allows the audience to fill in the rest without being pandered to; it is an impressive writing feat, matched by Mr. Hiller’s captivating command of the stage.  If you like to laugh—and we can all use a laugh these days—this is one show you will not want to miss.

Bottom Line: Jeff Hiller is hilarious and captivating as a disgruntled gay guest at a same sex wedding in Drew Droege’s one man show, “Bright Colors and Bold Patterns”.  If you like to laugh, this is one show you will not want to miss.
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“Bright Colors and Bold Patterns”
SoHo Playhouse
15 Vandam Street
New York, NY 10013

Running Time: 80 minutes (no intermission)
Opening Night: November 12, 2017
Final Performance: April 1, 2018
Discount Tickets